Beyond the Trophy: How Speech at Kudos Shaped Sharon Liu’s Voice and Vision
- Kudos College of Youth Leadership
- Dec 15, 2017
- 3 min read
After two years in the Kudos Survey I and II classes, Sharon joined the Kudos Speech Tournament Team. She persisted in perfecting the art of Impromptu Speech, won numerous Championship in California tournaments, and broke into the Finals at National Tour of Champions in June 2017 held in Kentucky. She was placed 6th in the nation.
A Letter From Sharon:
I only have fond memories of Kudos and the experience I had while in their nurturing care. They helped me to not only grow in speech but also helped me grow as a person as well. I learned a lot of things during my time and those will stay with me all throughout my life. In the real world, your opinions will often times not matter but, once you enter that stage or speaking room, you have under ten minutes where everyone’s eyes and ears are on you. And, in those precious moments you have the ability inform your audience and possibly give them the chance to walk out with a new perspective.
Being in tournaments also taught me how to receive critiques better. You learn to not take it on a personal level, but on a professional level where you can use it to improve. It’s important to take this skill and apply it to all the aspects of your life. Being able to learn from where you fall short is essential and, being able to grow from there is amazing.
It takes a while to start breaking into final rounds and to anyone who feels like they’re never going to place; just hang in there. How well you do at a tournament does not define you as a speaker. How you learn from your experiences and whether you pick yourself up and keep moving, is what determines it. Often times tournaments can seem unfair and you can start thinking to yourself “how could he/she place but I didn’t?” or “what’s wrong my speech?”. Things can seem so unfair at this point and I can sympathize with anyone who feels like this at times. After a few years of thinking, I can say things happen for a reason. Sometimes it’s unfair and sometimes it seems legit. It doesn’t matter though, because although winning feels good, that’s not the big picture. If you got first place but you didn’t impact someone, you haven’t won all the way through. If you didn’t place that day but your speech made someone think “wow I’ve never thought about that before”, you’re a winner no matter what the world will say. Kudos taught me that it’s not about that gold on the trophy, but it’s about the gold in your heart and words.
All the coaches have helped me so much and I can’t thank them enough. Mr. Rothschild gave me my foundation and taught me to persevere against the rigors speech would bring. Mr. Wheeler, though we only met for a short time, taught me the discipline I must have while competing. Ms. K was always there for every tournament where she supported me like a second mother. On my first tournament, I still remember being so nervous and she kindly offered to watch my round to support me. Chris teacher (Christopher Hacela), the coach that I spent the most time with, taught me how to use words to empower not only the audience but also, myself as well. Like Ms. K, he was there every tournament and made such an extra effort to watch my rounds. He believed in me and that helped me to start believing in myself. Mrs. Laura has never been anything except caring and helpful, as she always encouraged me to do what was my best, and not someone else’s best. Finally, I also need to thank Ms. Ann as she always worked so hard in the background to make things possible for the overall team.
Though it may sound like I’m overacting, Kudos was one of the most life changing things that has ever happened to me. And like Mrs. Laura once told me,” You have to try it out first to know”.
--
Sharon Liu | Dec. 15, 2017
Comentários